Garden Building planning permission examples — what gets approved & refused
66,568 real decisions from 258 UK councils. See what actually gets approved, what gets refused, and why — so you don’t waste thousands on drawings for something your council will reject.
Last updated: March 2026
81.9%
approval rate across 66,568 decisions
That means roughly 1 in 6 garden building applications are refused — often due to avoidable design issues.
66,568
Decisions
54,531
Approved
12,037
Refused
258
Councils
Garden rooms, offices, studios, and outbuildings have surged in popularity. Many fall within permitted development, but applications near boundaries or in conservation areas typically need planning permission.
What these results show
• Most garden buildings under 2.5m at the eaves (near a boundary) or 4m/3m high are permitted development.
• Refusals often relate to intended use — a garden “office” used as a separate dwelling is a different matter entirely.
• Height, proximity to boundaries, and proportion relative to the garden are the key factors.
• Conservation area restrictions remove many PD rights for garden buildings — always check.
⚠️ These are national examples. Your council could be stricter — or more lenient. See what actually gets approved on your street →
Real garden building decisions
Real examples showing what works — and what gets refused. Use the filters to compare approved and refused applications.
Approved
The building of a blockwork garden studio (which will then be clad in timber) with flat roof at rear of garden. No higher than 2.5m and measuring 6m x 3.5m in size.
24/0127/HHOPDC
Approved
Loft conversion with rear dormer and 2 front skylights; 3m single-storey rear extension with a flat roof; and 2.5m single-storey outbuilding.
▸ Rear dormers are far more likely to be approved than front-facing ones.
Approved
Steel portal frame agricultural store/ workshop with metal profiled sheet cladding and roller shutter door with oak framed and traditional slate roofed open parking bay to front elevation for agricultural vehicles to match adjacent existing outbuilding.
▸ Matching existing materials and design helps approval chances.
Approved
Works comprising: Conservatory Exterior; replacement of glazing, new louvres, works to frame; enclosure of walkways; new workshop, new planter beds; vents to art gallery roof and shaft face, works to louvres, new lighting; replacement glazing to corridor; replacement of sculpture court rooflight, re
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Approved
Tree A Oak - crown lift to 5mTree B Oak - current height and spread approximately 13m, reduce back by 3m over outbuilding and 2.5m on east facing canopy. No change to height.
Approved
Tree A Oak - crown lift to 5mTree B Oak - current height and spread approximately 13m, reduce back by 3m over outbuilding and 2.5m on east facing canopy. No change to height.
Approved
Works to trees within Bacup Town Centre Conservation Area - Pussy Willow x2 - Cut back trees to provide a 2m clearance from building and outbuilding
▸ Sympathetic design in conservation areas can still get approved.
Approved
CERTIFICATE OF LAWFUL DEVELOPMENT FOR EXISTING SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION AND DETACHED OUTBUILDING AT REAR
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
24/00177/FULL
Approved
Refurbishment works comprising: (i) raising of the second floor roof and replacement roof covering; (ii) the construction of a replacement garden room; (iii) installation of replacement windows and bi-fold glazing; (iv) installation of double glazing to windows in the lightwell; (v) the installation
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Approved
T018, Oak: Tree has failed on to storage shed and pipe work - Dismantle & remove to ground level. T019, Ash: Fell. G001, comprised of six Sycamore, five Hazel and four Ash: Crown lift trees over the outbuilding roof and shed roof to achieve a minimum of 2 metre clearance.
Approved
T1 Silver Birch - to reduce in height by 3m which overhangs neighbouring property. Reason: dropping excessive amounts of debris onto garden and garden building damaging roofT2 Oak - to cut back by 3m from neighbouring garden and garden building. Reason: dropping excessive amounts of debris onto gard
Approved
T1, Oak - Reduce crown by approx 2m to points of previous pruning.Walnut - Minor crown reduction of up to 1m to containgrowth.Amelanchier - Reduce to points of previous pruning, approx 2m.cut back from neighbouring property and crown lift to 2.5mover outbuilding.
Refused
Single and two storey rear extensions to the dwellinghouse and construction of a garden room using the existing detached garage footprint.
▸ Two-storey extensions face higher scrutiny due to greater neighbour impact.
Refused
Prior Approval Notification for a single storey rear extension extending 6 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a maximum height of 2.85 metres including two roof lanterns, and a height of 2.550 metres to the eaves. Following removal of part of the existing shared outbuilding. (As
▸ Excessive depth is a red flag — large extensions face much higher refusal rates.
Approved
Article 18 consultation from Rossendale Council (ref. 2017/0113) - Demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings, and construction of new nine-bedroomed dwelling, with associated access and landscaping works
12/199/APN
Approved
Replace the roof and increase the wall height of 2 existing outbuildings
240977/DPP
Approved
Conversion of existing garage outbuilding to form self-contained ancillary annex accommodation, including installation of new windows, rooflights and cladding
Approved
Runnymede Borough Council neighbouring authority consultation in relation to construction of a replacement dwelling with associated parking, landscaping, new entrance gate and boundary wall following demolition of existing detached dwelling and outbuilding. (Runnymede reference: RU.24/1095).
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Approved
Demolition of existing outbuilding, erection of single storey rear extension and erection of garden room
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Demolition of existing dwelling and attached garage and erection of replacement dwelling, detached garage and detached garden room.
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Still scrolling?
You’re looking at national data. 18% of garden building applications get refused — but that number could be higher or lower in your area.
See what gets approved near your home →
Approved
Article 18 consultation from Salford City Council in respect of PA/2025/0375 (Listed Building Consent for repairing the elements of the building that require conservation and improvements to security and MEP systems. The works comprise, replacing windows with a form more closely resembling the origi
▸ Sympathetic design in conservation areas can still get approved.
Refused
Erection of a 1.8m high wooden fence/gate and erection of an outbuilding to side elevation.
Refused
To reinstate the existing chimney in the outbuilding. The chimney will be used to form an outdoor cooking area under the existing roof
Refused
Full: Erection of a two-storey detached outbuilding comprising caravan and garage storage at ground floor and ancillary office and gym at first floor.
▸ Two-storey extensions face higher scrutiny due to greater neighbour impact.
16/02505/FUL
Approved
Change of use from guesthouse to dwelling with alterations and rear extension, including the alteration of basement level front window to install a door, enlarging an existing opening to the rear, formation of a new opening in an outbuilding to rear and excavating and widening existing basement acce
Approved
LISTED BUILDING CONSENT: Conversion of former horse gin and demolition and replacement of corrugated steel outbuilding to form single dwellinghouse (amended plans 07.09.2020, 30.09.2020, 08.12.2020) (amended description 18.12.2020)
▸ Listed building applications succeed when design is sensitive to the original character.
Approved
Non-material amendment (Construction of a rear single storey Garden Room extension on Plot 7) on approved planning application 19/04900/FUL
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Non-material Amendment: Alterations to elevations (windows/doors/fire escape (external staircase)/cable trays), roof (plant), internal access road and size of outbuilding of application 18/00486/FUL.
Approved
Section 192 Application for a Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed installation of a Garden Studio (5100mm x 9650mm & 1828.8mm flyover roof) together with decking beneath ramped access to be used for the purpose of education (Class D1 Non-Residential Institution)
20/00526/FUL
Approved
Change of use of shipping container from storage to summer house with full amenities ancillary to existing dwelling house
21/01465/NMA
Approved
Non material amendment sought to planning permission ref 21/00206/FUL for installation of bi-fold doors and change of use of outbuilding to storage and garden room
Approved
G1 - Bay (x3 trees forming one canopy) - Remove x 1 lowest branch extending over the garden building and reduce remaining trees in height from approximately 2.5m. Current estimated height 10m leaving at 8m.The trees have been heavily pollarded in the past and now have extensive regrowth which needs
Approved
Application for Listed Building Consent - Alteration to rear window to form french doors and associated steps. New doors and windows in 20th century extension. Alteration to soil and rain water drainage. Construction of garden shed.
▸ Listed building applications succeed when design is sensitive to the original character.
22/00696/FUL
Approved
Outbuilding within domestic curtilage to form detached annex residential accommodation
Refused
Demolish existing garage and construct new garage/garden room along boundary
Refused
NON MATERIAL AMENDMENT TO PLOT 15 ON APPLICATION 2019/0207/FUL (12 NO. NEW APARTMENTS AND 8 NO DETACHED DWELLINGS WITH ASSOCIATED ACCESS ROADS AND CAR PARKING PROVISION) - GARDEN ROOM TO REAR
10/01180/FUL
Refused
Retention of single storey outbuilding to rear of back garden and change of use to nail salon/health and beauty use.
Approved
Change of use and conversion of the disused outbuilding from office use to a self-contained residential annexe ancillary to the main dwellinghouse and associated alterations.
Approved
ERECTION OF DWELLINGHOUSE AND INSTALLATION OF BIO DISC TREATMENT PLANT AND SURFACE WATER SOAKAWAY AND OUTFALL PIPES TO WATERCOURSE; DEMOLITION OF EXISTING FARM OUTBUILDINGS AND ASSOCIATED RESTORATION/LANDSCAPING AND EXTENSION TO DOMESTIC CURTILAGE /PARKING AREA OF EXISTING HAUGH MILL FARMHOUSE GRANT
24/00658/FUL
Approved
Use of outbuilding to rear of dwellinghouse as short term let (Sui generis) (Retrospective)
P2024/3319/FUL
Approved
The construction of a garden outbuilding/office to be located in the rear of the
Approved
Erection of detached outbuilding (as per Amended Drawings received on 28 September 2020)
2020/001/HESCON
Approved
Notification for Villians Crofthouse including outbuildings, LB44549 - Review of designation
09/00907/APP
Approved
Alterations, extension and change of use of outbuildings to form 3 dwellinghouses
Approved
Former Somerton House Hotel and outbuildings to be fully demolished
Approved
Conversion of outbuilding from agricultural use to a flexible use within Commercial/Business/Service (Class E)
Approved
Use of outbuilding to rear of dwellinghouse as short term let (Sui generis) (Retrospective)
Refused
Full Planning Application - Change of use of outbuilding to allow holiday let use (building having extant permission for annex under ref DC/25/03040).
Refused
Certificate of lawfulness for proposed internal changes of the outbuilding from home office/garden room to home office/garden room/holiday let.
Refused
Erection Of Summer House With Storage Area In Roof Space (Retrospective)
Refused
Change of use and extension to outbuilding to dwellinghouse with associated parking and garden ground
Refused
Lawful development certificate for outbuilding in rear garden
Refused
ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY FRONT AND SIDE EXTENSION AND ERECTION OF OUTBUILDING
Refused
Erection of a single storey outbuilding in the rear garden. New parking space, associated boundary fence alteration and new crossover.
Refused
Proposed extensions to dwelling and garage and proposed garden shed - approved under H13-1311-21. Amendments to dimensions of single storey extension & garage extension
Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for the following proposal:
Proposed construction of summerhouse to be used in connection with the dwelling house and also to provide one to one beauty treatments
Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for the following proposal:
Proposed construction of summerhouse to be used in connection with the dwelling house and also to provide one to one beauty treatments
Approved
Proposed raised decking and summer house on top (part retrospective)
Approved
Erection of Rear Garden Room (Prior Notification)
Approved
Erection of Poultry Shed, Outbuilding and Silos
Related guides
Garden room planning permission guideBefore you spend £2,000+ on drawings — and risk getting refused
Your council may refuse the exact thing that got approved two boroughs away. See what actually gets approved near your property first.
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